wardwell



"(No Model.)

' S. W. WARDWELL, Jr.

GOLLAPSIBLB BOAT.

No. 244,009. Patented July 5, 1-881.

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I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMON W. WARDWELL, JR, OF WOONSOQKET, RHODE ISLAND.

COLLAPSI BLE BOAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,009, dated July 5, 1881,

Application filed April 15, 1881.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SIMON W. WARDWELL,

Jr., of Woonsocket, in the county of Provi-- illustrating a skiff embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section; Fig. 3, a perspective view, illustrating the manner in which the braces are constructed and applied to the ribs; Fig. 4, a plan sh owing the skiff contracted for transportation.

The boat consists, essentially, of longitudinal ribs to a, of any suitable number, brought together and connected at their ends, and removable cross-braces B c, with a covering, (1, of water-proof canvas or any other suitable flexible material, connected to the upper ribs, a, along the edges thereof, but of such form that when the ribs are distended, as shown in Fig. 1,the canvas will constitute a strong taut covering, forming the bottom and sides of the boat, and capable of resisting the pressure which comes upon such portions.

While different means may be used for connecting the ribs and for bracing the latter, I have found the construction and arrangement shown on the drawings to be most effective.

' At each end of the boat is a head-block, A, somewhat conical in form at the head, to which all the ribs converge and to which they are united, as shown, and from each head-block projects inward a stock, 6.

The lower ribs, a a, are separated and kept apart by means of the cross-braces 0, each of which is notched at the ends to fit the angles of the ribs and afford a firm bearing therefor, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 and each pair of side ribs, a a, is separated and maintained in relative position by means of the braces B, each of which is notched to afford the requisite bearings at the ends for the said ribs. To secure greater strength and compactness, the

(No model.)

adjacent ends of the braces B c are mortised so as to fit each other, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore each bottom brace, o, and adjacent side braces, B B, when in place, will constitute, as it were, a continuous cross-girder.

To prevent the pressure of the water from flattening in the upper ribs, I use cross-bars F, each adapted at the ends to sockets in metal bosses i at the inner sides of the upper ribs.

When the above-described parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1 the cross pieces and braces will prevent the boat from collapsing, and, together with the outer covering, will maintain the ribs in position and preserve the structure taut and rigid; but the whole may be collapsed and contracted into a small compass easily and speedily by first lifting the cross-bars F out of their sockets,then slipping the bottom braces away from the side braces by turning them to the position shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and then removing the side braces by first turning toward the position shown in Fig. 3. The bars and braces may then be placed parallel to the ribs, and the latter'brought together parallel to each other and strapped in place by outside binding straps or ropes, forming a light, compact, and very narrow bundle, capable of being easily transported. I

To facilitate the adjustment of the parts when the boat is to be used, stop-pins m a on the ribs a a may be arranged, the upper to fit a notch in and the lower to serve as a sidebearing for the end of each brace B, which may thus be quickly and exactly brought to its position, the cross-braces having their bearin gs against the notched ends of the side braces.

To give greater stability to the structure and to keep the ribs under strain in displacing the braces, I use a rope or cord, 19, which may extend from the shankeof one head-block through the perforated or notched ends of the bars F on one side of the. boat to the shank of the opposite head-block, through the latter, and through the opposite ends of the bars to the beginning; and this rope may be drawn taut by rings 8, inclosing the converging portions, and drawn toward the bars F, and secured by the means of cords t. This rope not only acts as a continuous brace, strengthening the struct- To prevent loss of the detached parts, each' brace B 0 may be tied to the adjacent bar F by means of a flexible cord, 20.

If desirable, the braces may be connected each at one end by means of a cord or thong or hinge to the rib at or near the point where it is to bear. The ropes may also be extended across to connect the upper ribs and prevent their spreading, and a central rib may serve as a keelson, and additional ribs may be employed, together with additional braces. Other means may also be used to tighten'the rope 1).

Without, therefore, limiting myself to the construction shown,

I claim- 1. A collapsible boat consisting of longitudinal ribs connected together at their ends,

side and bottom braces separating said ribs and detachable therefrom, an outer covering constructed to form taut sides and bottom when the ribs are distended, and a rope connecting the ends and serving to keep the ribs bent, substantially as set forth.

2. lhe combination of the longitudinal ribs, head-blocks, cover, and braces, and rope connected to the head-blocks, and means, substantially as set forth, whereby said rope may be extended andlshortened, as specified.

3. In a collapsible boat, the combination of the longitudinal ribs ac, connected to theheadblocks A A, braces B c, cross-bars F, adapted to sockets in the upppr ribs, a rope passing through the head-blocks and cross-bars and through rings s, connected by ropes to the cross-bars, and adjustable, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SIMON W. 'WARDWEIJL, JR.

Witnesses:

FRED H. BISHOP, EDWIN J. PIERCE, Jr. 

